Barco’s advanced diagnostic display technologies support the unique needs of remote radiology, enabling vRad’s radiologists to maintain high standards of patient care across various specialties.
In a webinar hosted by Barco on June 18, industry leaders came together to delve into the intricacies of teleradiology, a field that has seen exponential growth, especially in the post-pandemic era. The panel featured prominent figures such as Jon Helland, who is the Senior Supervisor for Radiology Services at vRad, a company at the forefront of remote radiology services. Alongside him was Albert Xthona, Barco’s Senior Product Manager for Diagnostic Imaging, and Ketan Thanki, a liaison for large national Integrated Delivery Networks (IDNs) who also collaborates with vRad.
Jon Helland highlighted vRad’s pioneering efforts in creating a seamless remote radiology workflow, emphasizing that all their radiologists read from home, managing everything from general radiology to mammography. This discussion is particularly timely, given recent insights from Signify Research indicating a global increase in the demand for teleradiology, driven by a shortage of radiologists, rising scan volumes, and regulatory challenges.
Barco’s extensive experience in diagnostic imaging technology, exemplified by its robust hardware solutions and QA Web Enterprise software, was showcased as a critical component in vRad’s successful deployment.
vRad Chooses Barco: A Strategic Move for Excellence in Remote Radiology
Helland shed light on vRad’s rigorous selection process that led to their decision to partner with Barco for their diagnostic display needs. He emphasized the critical importance of reliable and high-quality equipment in their fully remote radiology practice, which manages an impressive volume of 20,000 to 25,000 studies daily.
vRad, renowned for its extensive footprint in the teleradiology space, operates 24/7 with a team of 520 radiologists, 98% of whom are U.S.-based. The need for dependable and efficient diagnostic displays was paramount to maintain their high standards of service. To identify the best solution, vRad conducted a meticulous vetting process, considering four major vendors in the diagnostic monitor industry.
Helland described how vRad evaluated each vendor’s equipment against a set of stringent criteria, including reliability, scalability, ease of use, and availability. This involved internal testing and feedback from radiologists who used the equipment in real-world conditions. Each solution was rated based on an “Amazon rating scale,” which helped distill their performance into a single, comprehensive score.
Barco emerged as the clear winner due to several key factors. Their diagnostic displays, equipped with technologies like Eye Guard, Uniform Luminance Technology, and Ambient Light Compensation, not only met but exceeded vRad’s high standards. These features ensured consistent image quality, reduced eye strain, and provided a stable and ergonomic work environment for radiologists. Moreover, Barco’s QA Web Enterprise software offered seamless integration and remote monitoring capabilities, which were crucial for vRad’s distributed workflow.
Helland noted that Barco was highly responsive and proactive in addressing vRad’s needs. This partnership has enabled vRad to maintain a high level of operational efficiency and image accuracy, ensuring that their radiologists can deliver top-notch care from any location. The decision to go with Barco has been instrumental in supporting vRad’s mission to provide reliable and high-quality teleradiology services across the United States.
Behind the Scenes of Barco Equipment
Barco‘s diagnostic displays are not just impressive in their performance; they also boast a suite of advanced technologies that work seamlessly behind the scenes to enhance the radiologist’s experience and accuracy. During the webinar, Albert Xthona, Senior Product Manager on Diagnostic Imaging, provided an in-depth look at the key features that set Barco’s equipment apart.
One of the standout technologies is the Eye Guard sensor. Positioned on the edge of the screen, this sensor constantly monitors the display from the user’s perspective. It accounts for factors like ambient light, temperature, and the age of the display to ensure consistent image quality. The Eye Guard sensor also plays a crucial role in the calibration process, maintaining the display’s accuracy over time and reducing the need for manual adjustments.
Another critical feature is Barco’s Uniform Luminance Technology. This technology addresses the natural variations in pixel brightness that can occur in LCD panels. By mapping and compensating for these differences, Barco ensures that the entire screen maintains uniform brightness and color accuracy. This uniformity is essential for radiologists who rely on subtle contrasts in images to detect pathologies.
Barco’s Ambient Light Compensation (ALC) technology further enhances the viewing experience. Historically, radiologists had to work in dimly lit rooms to ensure optimal viewing conditions. However, ALC allows for a more ergonomic setup by adjusting the display brightness to match the ambient light in the room. This reduces eye strain and enhances comfort without compromising image quality.
All these technologies are integrated and monitored through Barco’s QA Web Enterprise software. This cloud-based platform provides continuous monitoring and reporting of the display’s performance, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enabling proactive maintenance. For vRad, this means fewer interruptions and a more efficient workflow, as the software handles many of the quality assurance tasks automatically.
Albert Xthona highlighted how these behind-the-scenes features significantly reduce the workload for radiologists, allowing them to focus on their primary task—interpreting images and delivering accurate diagnoses. The combination of cutting-edge technology and thoughtful design makes Barco’s diagnostic displays a top choice for demanding medical environments, exemplified by their successful implementation at vRad.
Specialties with Specific Requirements in Remote Radiology
The panelists discussed the unique needs of various radiology specialties and how Barco’s equipment meets these specific requirements, particularly in the context of remote reading. John Helland spoke of the critical role that specialized displays play in ensuring diagnostic accuracy across different radiology disciplines.
For general radiology and mammography, where precise detail and contrast are paramount, Barco’s diagnostic displays provide superior image quality and uniform luminance. These features are essential for detecting subtle changes in tissue density and identifying potential abnormalities. The Eye Guard sensor and Uniform Luminance Technology ensure that every pixel on the screen maintains consistent brightness and color accuracy, crucial for making accurate diagnoses from home.
In specialties like neuroradiology and musculoskeletal radiology, the ability to discern fine details in complex anatomical structures is vital. Barco’s high-resolution displays, coupled with their ambient light compensation technology, allow radiologists to work in more comfortable lighting conditions without sacrificing image quality. This reduces eye strain and enhances the ability to focus on intricate images for extended periods, which is especially beneficial in remote settings where radiologists may not have the same controlled lighting as in traditional reading rooms.
Cardiovascular imaging and pediatric radiology also benefit significantly from Barco’s advanced display technologies. For cardiovascular imaging, Barco’s displays offer the dynamic range and contrast necessary to visualize blood vessels and cardiac structures clearly. In pediatric radiology, the accurate calibration and quality assurance provided by QA Web Enterprise software ensures that images are displayed correctly and consistently, enabling radiologists to make confident diagnoses even when working remotely. Barco’s comprehensive approach directly addresses the specialized needs of various radiology disciplines, making their equipment well-suited for vRad’s remote radiologists, who require top-tier tools to maintain high standards of patient care.